As the Formula 1 season gears up, the spotlight turns to Lance Stroll, whose journey in the sport has been a mix of highs and lows. Fellow Canadian racer Alex Tagliani weighs in on Stroll’s career, highlighting a pivotal year ahead for the Aston Martin driver. Amid rumors of Stroll’s teammate eyeing a move to Mercedes in 2025, questions linger over Stroll’s ability to carve out his niche in F1, despite the substantial support from his father since 2017.
Stroll himself addresses the skepticism surrounding his position in the sport, “Everyone has their opinion,” he remarked last week, responding to the ‘pay driver’ tag, “but I answer on the track.”
Tagliani, with his background in Indycar and Nascar, suggests the issue with Stroll isn’t about talent. “He has his place in F1,” Tagliani acknowledges, noting Stroll’s achievements, “and he has some results under his belt that prove it.” However, Tagliani poses a more profound question about Stroll’s commitment, “The question we have to ask ourselves is if he wants to be in F1. Does he have enough desire and interest to make the necessary sacrifices?” This inquiry hints at the internal motivations driving Stroll’s career.
Stroll’s 2023 season started on a challenging note with injuries from a pre-season cycling accident. Tagliani believes overcoming these setbacks could be key, “I do think that just by starting the season injury-free and avoiding some mechanical issues as well, it should be a better season for him.”
